Hi Doug, thought you would have sent me to the naughty room. We're holed up waiting for the flood waters to go down at our next spot. Having put the fire hoses away, I'm getting out the life jackets.
This little sign unfortunately rings so true at times on many forums.
Many a potential new member would be turned away by comments made by the forum heavies when a subject is broached.
Healthy discussion is good but some people are just out and out, rude.
A subject on mobile phone services that I contributed in comes to mind.
I noted another member had suggested a cheaper carrier and was ridiculed in several following posts. He provided accurate links to information he posted and was still boo-hooed.
I note from reading other forums and caravan groups that the information he supplied has enabled many travellers to take up cheaper mobile services than the big providers and what he said and to a lesser extent what I said has been proved to be correct.
My husband Rob, says he is no longer contributing here due to the bombastic comments of a self appointed expert when it comes to vehicle weights and modifications. He has had friends leave here after witnessing similar comments. He now lurks on another well known forum and is considering joining.
Facebook and other social media offer a platform for most subjects including vanning and many of them are quite heavily moderated.
It is a shame to see the slow decline of a forum but that is what happens when many posts just turn into an argument.
There is nothing wrong iana, everyone has quiet moments at times.
This forum is still the best resource for information and advice.
Bentaxlebabe, you noticed in other forums that the advice given here was proved to be correct, that wouldn't have happened without the original discussion.
I've never met any members from this forum, and cannot form an opinion about them until I do. In the meantime I will continue to frequent this forum and enjoy the healthy discussions that help me make informed decisions.
Yes all the forums are quiet, and I agree, out of all of them, this one is the best, the interface is good, new posts show up well, moderating is adequate, and paragraphs can be written with out the worry of running out of space, last of all pictures can be easily up-loaded, and a picture can tell a thousand words.
Its important that we all are just a little flexible and considerate in our replies, and it is important that those posting questions take the time to write up all the information, omitting just one item, or even a comma can misrepresent what is being said.
My only thought is quantity and not quality is good.
We are at home, really not enjoying quiet time which started back in November, I got all the work done to start touring then the heat, fires and birthdays, hello and now rain comes some flooding. Yes we in Australia.
Since I joined the forum I managed to learn a lot of tech stuff, my own writing has I feel improved some what until the computer changes things, ha.
Whilst there is not that much activity on this forum at present, If I need to know something on anything I just use the search button and bingo.... a wealth of comments.
This forum has been an education tool for me and many many others.
Looking back on many of my posts, i am sure that I also have posted help for others.
Sure one can make political comments, but then that only creates issues that the Admin will and must close down.
Anyway folks I am still learning and I will be watch future comments.
Ive got something that I find bloody annoying! We are travelling full time and our motorhome is NSW registered & has a GVM of 5200KG so requires a annual heavy vehicle roadworthy inspection.
We pay as part of our annual registration renewal $180 to the NHVR (N) being for National, last year was our first renewal & we were in Victoria & at the time doing a three month house sit.
After contacting the RMS to find out my options, they advised me to go to a Victorian inspection station & get a inspection done, then post the paperwork off to Parkes along with a letter containing my contact details.
When I arrived at the inspection station, I was informed that the inspection would take 2.5 hours as it was a wheels off inspection with photos to be taken & so on & cost $260, the vehicle had only 4500km on the odometer. I said to the guy `you are not taking the wheels off `he told me to `piss off` so I did.
The next day I left my wife at the house sit & drove back to Bega & had a inspection done there for $43 & with a tank of fuel & one night at Mallacoota I was still around $50 better off!
We are in Tasmania currently & Im about to go through this again, inspector states, inspection will take about a hour & will cost $268
So if we have a Nation Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NVHR) why isnt the inspection process the same for all states & territories? Why am I paying as part of my renewal $180 to the NHVR? Oh I know, I am just getting ripped off again!
Ive got something that I find bloody annoying! We are travelling full time and our motorhome is NSW registered & has a GVM of 5200KG so requires a annual heavy vehicle roadworthy inspection.
We pay as part of our annual registration renewal $180 to the NHVR (N) being for National, last year was our first renewal & we were in Victoria & at the time doing a three month house sit.
After contacting the RMS to find out my options, they advised me to go to a Victorian inspection station & get a inspection done, then post the paperwork off to Parkes along with a letter containing my contact details.
When I arrived at the inspection station, I was informed that the inspection would take 2.5 hours as it was a wheels off inspection with photos to be taken & so on & cost $260, the vehicle had only 4500km on the odometer. I said to the guy `you are not taking the wheels off `he told me to `piss off` so I did.
The next day I left my wife at the house sit & drove back to Bega & had a inspection done there for $43 & with a tank of fuel & one night at Mallacoota I was still around $50 better off!
We are in Tasmania currently & Im about to go through this again, inspector states, inspection will take about a hour & will cost $268
So if we have a Nation Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NVHR) why isnt the inspection process the same for all states & territories? Why am I paying as part of my renewal $180 to the NHVR? Oh I know, I am just getting ripped off again!
Some good information there Brownie 64, so thanks for putting it up
Is this only for NSW rego, or for vehicles over 4,500 KG GVM
Any vehicle with a GVM Greater than 4500 KG is subject to a annual inspection in NSW
Any passenger vehicle less than 4500 KG & 5 years old then must have a annual inspection.
Any trailer with brakes must have a annual inspection. Note. As with a previous caravan we owned it had a GVM of 1870 KG, so I could take it to a local AIS station, most mechanical repair shops are, however if your caravan is over 2000 KG then you must have a break away system fitted, then you have to find a inspection station qualified to do the break away, few & far between.
Dont get me wrong, I am a advocate for roadworthy vehicles, however long overdue for national uniformity.
Any vehicle with a GVM Greater than 4500 KG is subject to a annual inspection in NSW
Any passenger vehicle less than 4500 KG & 5 years old then must have a annual inspection.
Any trailer with brakes must have a annual inspection. Note. As with a previous caravan we owned it had a GVM of 1870 KG, so I could take it to a local AIS station, most mechanical repair shops are, however if your caravan is over 2000 KG then you must have a break away system fitted, then you have to find a inspection station qualified to do the break away, few & far between.
Dont get me wrong, I am a advocate for roadworthy vehicles, however long overdue for national uniformity.
Hi Brownie64
I can not comment on vehicles over 4500 KG, but for those under this weight area
In Western Australia, the only time we go over the pits is
If we are stopped for an infringement, such as lights/indicators/muffler etc
If we let it run out of rego
If we are registering a vehicle from another State/Territory
Well I am pleased that a few others had a wider view of the topic heading than me.
We may have all been lost in a discussion which would go nowhere.
There is is nothing more stimulating than a quote from Hamlet or indeed, an enquiry regarding ball weight.
Registration requirements are always quite informative when we can compare the anomalies we all experience in each state.
Ah, thank you Tony for a small but never the less, important mention, of the telco services or lack thereof. What would the forum be without a great Telstra debate.
Now I know that my hubby Rob, wont enter into this, but what about the argument either for or against using truck parking bays for the overnight caravan stopover. Arent we all entitled?
Well I just hope that now this new topic is up and running we dont have another local council that closes a free camping area because of the rubbish left by backpacking Wizzbangers or worse, if a nomad has watered a tree or some grass with the grey water.
Woah! I nearly forgot the discussion as to why a Toyota 200 is useless for towing, now this is an extremely important subject for many.
When I reflect on this I have now honestly come to the conclusion that this new topic can cover almost anything on this forum.
Having said this I am happy to say that jokes provided by Possum, BobDown and some others may not really fit the intended guidelines of this new topic but from my experience above I would be happy to hear if others think they should be included.
Rob say that I have too much idle time so I will wish you all a happy and safe Sunday.
Regards
Angie
PS Santa....loved it, very clever.
-- Edited by bentaxlebabe on Sunday 16th of February 2020 12:37:57 PM